Westhemier Symposium

Maestro Patrick Reynolds leads a discussion the performers and crew of the upcoming Dayton Opera production of "The Consul". The story, although written in 1950 touches on familiar themes of immigration, refugees, red tape, and fear of deportation. All Peace Museum supporters can now buy any remaining tickets to the October 20 performance for only $20. See details below.

Tuesday, October 10

Welcoming the Other in Central Ohio

7:30 p.m.

In the same way that soldiers in the U.S. Armed Forces gear up and wage war, so must social justice warriors gear up and wage peace. Jim Keady shares his experience of going to Greece to help with the Muslim refugee crisis. In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, Keady observed with great concern as the xenophobic/Islamophobic rhetoric ratcheted up to a fever pitch. He watched as average citizens and Presidential candidates raged about the evils of Islam and their belief that all Muslims want to kill us. As the rhetoric pivoted hard toward Muslim refugees, they were suddenly being depicted as the enemy! That is when he felt he had to go to Greece to help in any way he could. Keady challenges each of us to search for the humanity in those we fear and perceive as "other."